Vulnerable social enterprises: sensemaking of the COVID-19 crisis in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Purpose Drawing on Weick’s sensemaking perspective, this study aims to describe how Czech social entrepreneurs shape the shared meaning of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and what approaches to the crisis the sensemaking process leads to. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on the principles of grounded theory. Through in-depth interviews with 25 social entrepreneurs, it captures the entrepreneurs’ experience of the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of their understanding of social enterprise identity. Interviews with experts in the field of social entrepreneurship were also conducted to help achieve a deeper analysis of the entrepreneurial cases. Findings Results of research show that despite the obstacles, most social entrepreneurs arrive at a positive redescription of the crisis. Enterprises not affected by the pandemic adopt a conventional approach. The most vulnerable enterprises are paralyzed and wait with uncertainty for future developments in their enterprise’s situation. Practical implications As knowledge of vulnerabilities is a key prerequisite for crisis prevention, this research can serve as a useful material for business incubators and other institutions that provide mentoring and expertise to start-up social entrepreneurs including focus on crisis management implementation. Originality/value This study complements the theory of crisis sensemaking with the level of social entrepreneurship, which is characterized by a dichotomy of social and business goals that results in a specific shared meaning of identity which is tied to perceptions of vulnerabilities. This study describes the influence of perceived identity on coping with a crisis.

Entrepreneurial solutions to social problems: philosophy versus management as a guiding paradigm for social enterprise success

“…This is also what our research shows to be very important for social entrepreneurs, on whom social enterprises tend to depend heavily (Kro cil et al, 2023). Moreover, as our research has shown, social entrepreneurs feel a strong commitment to the social mission and the people working in the enterprise, which places very high demands on them.…”

“…Actual practice encounters many dilemmas such as quality versus quantity, equality versus individuality, task performance versus human satisfaction, ecology versus economics. In the literature, we find many references to the constant contradiction or constant tension experienced by social entrepreneurs, mainly due to the dual mission of social entrepreneurship, the different value orientation of stakeholders, ethical dilemmas among the organization's directors and the vulnerability of social enterprises (Besharov and Smith, 2013;Smith et al, 2013;Dees, 2012;Margolis and Walsh, 2003;Kro cil et al, 2023).…”

“…Research among Czech social enterprises has shown that entrepreneurs may experience uncertainty about the future of the JSBED 31,1 enterprise due to the increased vulnerability of social enterprises. This vulnerability relates, for example, to the employment of people disadvantaged in the labor market (Kro cil et al, 2023).…”

“…The most serious problems are often listed as environmental degradation, international poverty, crime, AIDS, drugs, family violence, racism or migration (George and Page, 2004). Moreover, recent years have been affected by the cooronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has significantly affected all processes of our planet, including social entrepreneurship (Kro cil et al, 2023). Countries in the developed world are also facing the challenges of an aging population (Christensen et al, 2009).…”

The Potential of Combining Existential Hermeneutic Phenomenology and Zen Practice: Using Western and Eastern Existential Insights to Interpret Managerial Lived Experience

“…A good example is provided by social entrepreneurs who are managers and leaders of businesses often founded in the wake of a very dramatic event or crisis (Kročil et al 2023), either in their families or in society. Many social entrepreneurs have the ability to use a crisis to engage themselves and help others.…”